Fridge door terror kit a $15m 'waste'

By Cynthia Banham, Brigid Delaney and AAPFebruary 3 2003

The Prime Minister, John Howard, was accused yesterday of political opportunism and of wasting millions of dollars of taxpayers' money on the Government terrorism kit, which is being mailed to households this week.

Labor's foreign affairs spokesman, Kevin Rudd, said the $15million the Government is spending on the kit, which is to be launched by the federal Attorney-General, Daryl Williams, today, would be better spent on improving airport security.

The kit includes a fridge magnet with crisis contact numbers and tips on how to spot terrorists.

Greens Senator Bob Brown accused Mr Howard of using fear as a political weapon.

"I think the Prime Minister knows that keeping people fearful is in his estimation going to keep putting votes in his ballot box and I think that's a very, very wrong ambition in politics," he said.");document.write("

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Mr Howard yesterday denied the terrorism kit would cause alarm. He said it would be well received, and that it "gives people useful information".

Senator Brown said that when Federal Parliament resumes this week he would move a motion of no confidence in the Government over its involvement of Australia in the probable US-led war in Iraq, and the deployment of Australian troops.

Prominent Liberals are backing a nationwide advertising campaign and protest march in opposition to Mr Howard's strong support for the US on Iraq.

Led by former Liberal president John Valder, the "Liberals against war in Iraq" will urge conservative voters to demand an end to the war plans. A rally is planned for February 16.

Former Liberal frontbencher Peter Deakin said: "A war has to have a strong moral imperative and I don't think I've seen the imperative here. I can't see any reason ... except to please our American masters."

Asked about unrest in his own party, Mr Howard said he was a "Liberal against war" who believed in preventing greater long-term danger and suffering by "taking steps now".